Video evaluations: 2021 guards on the rise
Today’s focus is on the guards that we believe are “on the rise” and are all ranked in our Class of 2021 prospect rankings. Take a look at our six guards that could be climbing the prospect rankings charts in…
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Continue ReadingToday’s focus is on the guards that we believe are “on the rise” and are all ranked in our Class of 2021 prospect rankings. Take a look at our six guards that could be climbing the prospect rankings charts in the coming months.
Alyssa Gerth Alyssa Gerth 5'9" | SG Andover | 2021 State MN , Andover (#87)
My first impression when I watch Gerth’s film was how fluent she was at driving to the bucket for an easy score. The 5’8 guard for the Huskies has a range of shots that can fire from outside the arc but appears to get more reps from mid-range. Gerth also has solid vision, finding the open teammate to set up the best shot available. She may need to work on her scoring consistency as looking at the game logs, she had her ups and downs last season. The second-leading scorer from the Huskies averaged just under 10 points per game, will need to carry a heavier load this winter with the graduation of Sioux Falls commit, Sydney White Sydney White 5'10" | CG Andover | 2020 State MN . Gerth will play for Minnesota Stars for AAU this summer.
Lakesha Carter Lakesha Carter 5'6" | CG Lake Crystal-Welcome | 2021 State MN , Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial (#99)
Carter is one of two Knights we will talk about on this evaluation. What impressed me about her was her vision of identifying where the ball is going and grabbing the steal. Carter has an unlimited range of scoring at the bucket and can shoot from outside the arc too and well, as she shot 55% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc last season. Her acceleration increases when she is in transition. At the basket, she has a jab step that she uses frequently to create more space to score. Averaged over 19 points per game on a Knights roster that was 20-5 last season. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial is certainly a Class 2A program in Southwest Minnesota to watch next season, especially with Carter and the next guard you’ll find on our list. You can watch Carter on the AAU circuit for Minnesota Rise.
Maia Peterson Maia Peterson 5'7" | PG Stewartville | 2021 State MN , Stewartville (#107)
The first look of the film on Peterson was how stout she was on defense for the Tigers of Stewartville. Her sight of finding where the basketball was going on the pass was very impressive. As a shooter, Peterson is a clutch performer from mid-range as that’s where you’ll see the bulk of her made shots on film. Peterson was one of the top rebounders as well last season and averaged 7.5 points per game with a high game of 18 points for the 18-8 Tigers, who finished second to state co-champion Rochester Lourdes in the Hiawatha Valley Gold.
Lexi Cloyd Lexi Cloyd 5'9" | CG Lake Crystal-Wel-Mem | 2021 State MN , Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial #124)
Cloyd brings a little more flash to the Knights than Carter. She has a crossover that will make defenders cringe when they watch this tape as she uses it to her advantage especially from beyond the arc. Cloyd is another 40%+ three-point shooter for LCWM but had almost 200 attempts last year from outside the line. She also shoots 80% from the free-throw line. Has an aggressive finish at the bucket but is more of an outside shooting threat. Lexi averaged over 18 points per game last season for the Knights and will be a combo guard to watch at the school just south of Mankato off Highway 169. Cloyd will once again play AAU basketball for Minnesota Nice this summer.
Adi Brown Adi Brown 5'11" | CG Lakeville South | 2021 State MN , Lakeville South (#126)
Brown plays on a program in Lakeville South that will be attempting to rebound from a difficult year in the South Suburban conference and her contributions will be needed even more this season. Brown’s film shows off a player who has a team-first mentality, as you can see on numerous occasions her spreading the ball around with her solid passing ability. Brown has long arms for the guard position and uses that to her advantage on defense. Brown’s strong suit comes from the three-point line in her shooting ability. Adi averaged over 5 points per game last season with a high game of 15.
Cherish Henderson Cherish Henderson 5'5" | PG Maranatha | 2021 State MN , Academy of Holy Angels (#129)
Henderson was the only one on this list who played in the state tournament last season and with the departure of the Henry twins who both committed to Carleton, will probably play an even bigger role again this season for the Stars of Holy Angels. Henderson is what defines the term “catch and shoot” and has extreme range, as you’ll see her shoot beyond the arc sometimes 2-4 feet beyond the three-point line. The 5’5 guard has a scrappiness to her game for a smaller guard defensively as she does well with her on-ball defense. Her mobility when in pursuit is impressive as she seems to always find the open cutter to the basket. Henderson also has great handles. She’ll play AAU for Minnesota Suns this summer.